Help Save Historic Land at Antietam & Gettysburg

The Opportunity 

Right now, the American Battlefield Trust has a rare chance to protect three crucial tracts of battlefield land: two at Antietam, and one small but significant parcel at Gettysburg. These sacred acres bore witness to defining moments in the Civil War and remain unprotected — vulnerable to development. 

To save all three properties, we must raise $349,938, but thanks to matching funds from partners and federal grants, every dollar you give will be matched at an extraordinary $3.95-to-$1 rate. That means your impact is nearly quadrupled — a true force multiplier for history. 

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The History 

The lands at Antietam and Gettysburg are more than historic sites — they are silent witnesses to the moments that shaped America. 

Antietam, Maryland 

The two tracts we can save at Antietam were part of the dramatic Final Attack on September 17, 1862, the single bloodiest day in American history.   This land saw desperate combat as Union troops surged across Burnside Bridge, pushing toward Confederate forces who had their backs to the swollen Potomac River. With General Robert E. Lee’s army facing potential annihilation, the arrival of General A.P. Hill’s Light Division — after a grueling 17-mile march — turned the tide just in time. Their charge halted the Union advance and saved Lee’s retreat route. 

This moment didn’t just affect the outcome of a single battle — it helped shift the entire war. Just days later, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, changing the moral and political stakes of the Civil War and redefining the nation’s purpose. 

Now, these very fields stand at risk of being lost to time or modern development. Preserving them means securing the physical space where freedom took a decisive step forward. 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania  

Meanwhile, at Gettysburg, a single acre of land near the Baltimore Pike — one of the most strategically important roads during the 1863 battle — offers an equally powerful story.  

Located near East Cemetery Hill, this unprotected parcel saw the movement of tens of thousands of Union soldiers from New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland as they marched to defend Culp’s Hill during three pivotal days of fighting. Soldiers crossed these grounds under fire, reinforced critical positions, and in some cases, made their final stand.    

Despite its historical significance, this tract remains completely unprotected, vulnerable to development that would permanently erase its connection to the past. In a place where men fought, died, and were buried, the threat of a luxury home or commercial venture is all too real. 

Thankfully, past efforts by members have already transformed large portions of the Baltimore Pike corridor. What once was overlooked land is now interpreted, respected, and accessible to the public. But work remains — and this new parcel is the next crucial piece in restoring Gettysburg’s battlefield to its historic appearance and ensuring it remains a place of reflection and learning. 

Together, these properties represent more than preserved land — they remind us that history lives in the soil, and with your help, it will remain there for future generations. 

Defend History. Multiply Your Impact.  

You have the power to transform the landscape of America’s most iconic battlefields — forever. With bulldozers and developers constantly encroaching, time is not on our side. But we don’t give up. We keep fighting. 

We’re on the brink of securing three critical pieces of Civil War battlefield land — and thanks to generous partners and federal support, your gift will be matched at $3.95-to-$1. That means every $25 you give becomes nearly $100 in impact— and protects the very land where history turned on a dime. 

This is your chance to be part of a living legacy at Antietam and Gettysburg.  

These tracts are more than just land. They’re where soldiers marched, fought, and fell. They’re places that shaped America’s future. With your help, we can ensure they are protected, interpreted, and honored — forever. 

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